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2 die after collapsing at Beitbridge Border post
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Two individuals died in separate incidents at the Beitbridge Border Post between Friday and Saturday after collapsing while undergoing customs and immigration formalities, authorities confirmed.
The first incident occurred on Friday morning and involved a diabetic male passenger from Murehwa who was returning from South Africa with his 21-year-old son aboard a Best Express Logistics bus. The man, whose identity is being withheld pending family notification, reportedly showed signs of illness during the journey.
Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube, the Beitbridge District Police Commander, said the passenger had visibly swollen legs when he boarded the bus in Pretoria. The bus was later recalled to the border for a customs reassessment after being stopped at a checkpoint in the Chicago area near Masvingo.
"While undergoing customs inspection around 10am, the man's son noticed he was unresponsive," said Chief Supt Ncube. "Port health officials and police responded swiftly, but the man was confirmed dead at the scene."
His body was transferred to Beitbridge District Mortuary. Authorities believe the man's underlying health condition, particularly diabetes, may have contributed to his sudden death.
The second incident took place on Saturday around 4pm and involved a 48-year-old South African truck driver who had transported peas from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Chief Supt Ncube reported that the driver had just completed passport stamping procedures at the southbound truck export yard and was returning to his vehicle when he suddenly collapsed and died.
"Investigations revealed he had complained of feeling unwell in his work WhatsApp group the previous day," said Chief Supt Ncube.
Both deaths are currently being treated as sudden and unexplained, with post-mortem examinations pending to determine the exact causes. Police are in the process of notifying the deceased individuals' next of kin.
Authorities have urged travellers with chronic conditions to seek medical clearance before long-distance travel, especially during periods of high traffic and extended border delays.
Beitbridge is one of the busiest inland ports in sub-Saharan Africa, processing thousands of travellers and cargo movements daily. These incidents have raised concerns over traveller health monitoring and emergency response capabilities at the critical transit hub.
The first incident occurred on Friday morning and involved a diabetic male passenger from Murehwa who was returning from South Africa with his 21-year-old son aboard a Best Express Logistics bus. The man, whose identity is being withheld pending family notification, reportedly showed signs of illness during the journey.
Chief Superintendent Mesuli Ncube, the Beitbridge District Police Commander, said the passenger had visibly swollen legs when he boarded the bus in Pretoria. The bus was later recalled to the border for a customs reassessment after being stopped at a checkpoint in the Chicago area near Masvingo.
"While undergoing customs inspection around 10am, the man's son noticed he was unresponsive," said Chief Supt Ncube. "Port health officials and police responded swiftly, but the man was confirmed dead at the scene."
His body was transferred to Beitbridge District Mortuary. Authorities believe the man's underlying health condition, particularly diabetes, may have contributed to his sudden death.
Chief Supt Ncube reported that the driver had just completed passport stamping procedures at the southbound truck export yard and was returning to his vehicle when he suddenly collapsed and died.
"Investigations revealed he had complained of feeling unwell in his work WhatsApp group the previous day," said Chief Supt Ncube.
Both deaths are currently being treated as sudden and unexplained, with post-mortem examinations pending to determine the exact causes. Police are in the process of notifying the deceased individuals' next of kin.
Authorities have urged travellers with chronic conditions to seek medical clearance before long-distance travel, especially during periods of high traffic and extended border delays.
Beitbridge is one of the busiest inland ports in sub-Saharan Africa, processing thousands of travellers and cargo movements daily. These incidents have raised concerns over traveller health monitoring and emergency response capabilities at the critical transit hub.
Source - The Chronicle
